As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to Suffolk Coast and Heaths, Paul Bloomfield picks out a selection of hotels, campsites and self-catering cottages in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in southeast England.
The Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB is a great destination for a short break or a longer stay, and has a wide selection eco-friendly accommodation, from chic hotels to seaside cottages or luxury glamping to suit all budgets.
Each place we’ve included here has been hand picked for its quality, friendliness and green credentials. You could be stoking up the wood burner in an authentic tipi one night, and sleeping in a sleigh bed under the same ceiling as a former King of England the next.
All the places we’ve featured have taken care to lessen their impact on the environment. So whether you’re tucking in to locally reared pork sausages for breakfast, or gathering your binoculars and walking boots to explore one of the many nature reserves, you can rest assured you’re doing your bit to help tread lightly in this precious part of the English countryside.
Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Green Travel Guide to Suffolk Coast & Heaths:
Green = Places to stay Blue = Local food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities
Places to stay in Suffolk Coast & Heaths
Blyth Hotel, Suffolk, England
This beautiful Edwardian building offers 14 stylish rooms, each with their own individual character and charm. Southwold's sandy beaches are five minutes away, and the town has arguably the Suffolk's best fish and chips. blythhotel.com
Best Western Ufford Park Hotel, Suffolk, England
This luxury hotel resort is set in 120 acres of tranquil parkland near the charming market town of Woodbridge, with spa, a great restaurant with fantastic views over the Suffolk countryside, and markets towns to explore on the doorstep uffordpark.co.uk
Brudenell Hotel, Suffolk, England
Sat right on Aldeburgh’s shingle beachfront, the Brudenell Hotel offers 44 stylish bedrooms with panoramic views of the sea or the tranquil River Ade and surrounding countryside. Lovely terrace for morning coffee and delicious fish at the restaurant. brudenellhotel.co.uk
The White Lion Hotel, Suffolk, England
Right on the beachfront, The White Lion Hotel not only offers a relaxed setting for anyone wanting to explore the art, culture and festivals of Aldeburgh, but also a beautiful space for weddings, meetings and events. Newly-refurbished in April 2011. whitelion.co.uk
The Swan, Suffolk, England
This four-star hotel at the heart of Southwold has been welcoming guests for over 350 years. Classical or coastal rooms, fabulous local menu featuring seasonal dishes and impressive eco credentials. Just yards from the Adnams Brewery, too! theswansouthwold.co.uk
Sutherland House Hotel, Suffolk, England
Sutherland House Hotel and Restaurant is one of Southwold’s oldest and most historically important buildings, with some of its features dating as far back as 1455. The spacious bedrooms all boast fabulous original features. sutherlandhouse.co.uk
Milden Hall and Tudor Barn, Suffolk, England
A wonderful 16th century barn for self-catering and farmhouse b&b for up to 30. Ideal for family get-togethers, weddings, schools, and cyclists looking for a group gathering in the Suffolk countryside. thehall-milden.co.uk
The Jolly Sailor, Suffolk, England
Located just a stone’s throw from Orford Quay, the Jolly Sailor Pub and Guest House has been here since the late 16th century, and was allegedly built from the timbers of a shipwreck. It now offers four lovely rooms, all recently refurbished. jollysailororford.co.uk
Ling's Meadow, Suffolk, England
A small, relaxed eco campsite with six tent pitches, two furnished bell tents, a restored Norfolk shepherd's hut, and a locally made living van situated on a family farm. All hidden among the tall grass of a 4 acre natural meadow. Free bike hire! lingsmeadow.co.uk
YHA Blaxhall, Suffolk, England
At the heart of a Suffolk village on the edge of Blaxhall Heath surrounded by wildlife and beautiful countryside you will find dog friendly YHA Blaxhall. Perfect for bird watching, cycling and walking or indulge in the local delicious sea food. yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-blaxhall
Badger Cottage, (Nr Framlingham), Suffolk, England
A small, low impact cottage with two galleried bedrooms, a wood burner, wonderful Victorian roll-top bath and courtyard with BBQ. Adjacent to Alde Garden- a tiny eco-friendly campsite with an array of quirky facilities which cottage guests may share. holiday-cottage-suffolk.com
The Gables, Suffolk, England
Owned by the same family since 1880, The Gables is a three storey, Victorian family house, tastefully refurbished to offer self-catering accommodation for up to 14 people. There are seven double or twin bedrooms, and a dining room with an open fire. thegablesaldeburgh.co.uk
Suffolk Secrets, Suffolk, England
Whether you’re looking for a country cottage in Southwold, a seaside retreat in Aldeburgh or a traditional beach hut, Suffolk Secrets has some absolute gems in its collection. Winners of the 2011 Green Small Business of the Year Award.
Suffolk Yurt Holidays, Suffolk, England
This idyllic site is tucked away in a quiet corner of the Suffolk countryside, surrounded by wildflower meadows, quiet lanes and historic villages. There are five hand crafted yurts available, each sleeping up to four adults or two adults. suffolkyurtholidays.co.uk
Bell tents at Cliff House, Suffolk, England
This fabulous collection of luxury bell tents are a new offering from the five star Cliff House Holiday site, set in a beautiful cliff top location with its own private beach access. The tents themselves are raised up on their own individual decks. cliffhouseholidays.co.uk
Broxtead, Suffolk, England
Glamp it up on the 3000 acre Broxtead country estate in an authentic tipi, or opt to stay in one of their newly converted Suffolk barns. The tipis themselves stand on large wooden decks in two separate locations, each sleeping up to eight adults. broxtead.com
Peewit Caravan Park, Suffolk, England
A peaceful campsite situated just 900 yards from Felixstowe’s Edwardian seafront. Set in 13 acres of landscaped parkland, the family owned site welcomes tourers and campers, and has all the mod cons you can expect including electric hook-ups. peewitcaravanpark.co.uk
For information on local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities, see our
